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Grant to Help Fund Community Center

by Kelly Choate on November 15, 2011 at 6:51 am

A grant from the city of Zanesville is keeping the wheels turning on a project at Ohio University Zanesville.

Executive Dean of Regional Campuses Jim Fonseca said construction on a community center should begin next spring. The facility will include a fitness center and two pools, and the $48,000 grant will cover the cost of pool equipment.

"The community has been talking about building such a center for more than 30 years," said Fonseca. "We thought that it was the right time to do this, and the partners were ready to go forward."

Fonseca said $5,000,000 has been raised to pay for the project, which is estimated to cost about $10,000,000. Community Development Director Stacy Clapper said the center will benefit low to moderate income families in the area.

"It also will provide economic benefit, and that can be through temporary and permanent jobs at the site," said Clapper. "It also will bring economic benefit when there are events held at the center such as swim meets in the future."

The facility will be attached to the gymnasium on Ohio University Zanesville’s campus.